” To Be A Saint”!

The Saints is a non-profit, volunteer organization that serves the Chicagoland performing arts community by providing ushers for over 150 venues, large and small. In return for their time, these ‘Saints’ earn a seat to some of the finest theatre, music and dance in the country.

Organization

The Saints is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All staff members hold non-paid positions. In order to maintain effective communication within the community and manage business transactions effectively, we utilize e-mailing (info@saintschicago.org) and an Internet based website. The Saints’ office is located at 4043 N Ravenswood, #306G, Chicago 60613.

Currently, approximately 1800 members support 150+ performing arts venues which encompass theater, dance, and music. Individuals interested in joining must be 18 years old, attend an orientation training, submit a Membership Agreement form, and pay an annual membership fee. This is a great organization for anyone who wants to be part of the fantastic array of performing arts in Chicago.

The Saints’ History

To the best of our knowledge, the Saints is the first and only organized volunteer support group of its type to serve the performing arts community in any city in the U.S. and the world. We began our activities in 1980 as the volunteer arm of the Saint Nicholas Theater at 2851 N. Halsted, which was subsequently the home of Steppenwolf Theatre, the Organic Touchstone Company, and ComedySportz.

When the Saint Nicholas Theater went out of business, the Saints looked for another theater to contribute their time and energy to and decided on the Organic Theater Company. Business was booming there with the production of E/R; but as the theater became more financially secure, it had less need for volunteer services. With encouragement from the theater management, The Saints began volunteering for other organizations and eventually became independent.

In October 1986 the Articles of Incorporation were registered with the state of Illinois: “The Saints is and shall be maintained as an Illinois Not for Profit Corporation under the Illinois General Not for Profit Act of 1986, as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended” (the “NFP Act”). The Saints has qualified and shall continue to qualify for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.” (Bylaws, Section 1.01, excerpted.)

The Saints first few projects included presenting a seminar on the utilization of volunteers (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap) at a League of Chicago Theaters Retreat and later helping to produce the first Off-Off Loop Theater Festival.

Over the years we have tackled a variety of projects, ranging from taking director’s notes for John Malkovich at the Saint Nicholas Theater to loading in a ton of sand for the International Theatre Festival of Chicago. A more comprehensive history is available on our website.   https://www.saintschicago.org

Our Mission

Our mission remains, primarily, to serve and enhance the not-for-profit theaters of metropolitan Chicago. These theaters enrich our lives; and we hope our efforts will help them continue to do so. Our Bylaws, adopted in 2012, state, “The mission of The Saints shall be to support arts organizations (primarily not-for-profit) in Chicago and nearby communities through volunteer and charitable services.” (Section 1.02).

If you are interested in becoming a Saint, I can tell you from what I have learned from those who are regulars, “they love it!”. Link to www.saintschicago.org, and see if you are a future Saint. If so, I will see you at the theater!